Volunteer Abroad Programs and Projects in Europe

Jordyn Hotchkiss

Volunteer Travel Researcher

Posted On Dec 24, 2016

| Read 3,835 Times

While Europe may be the world’s second-smallest continent, it is certainly rich in culture and diversity. With more than 250 different languages, 730 million people, and incredibly varied landscapes such as beaches, mountains, cities, and small towns, Europe is an excellent place not just to visit, but also to volunteer or intern abroad.

Europe offers so many amazing opportunities for the travelers at heart. If you are looking to volunteer abroad in wide range of cultures, Europe is the place for you. With 50 individual countries, the possibilities are endless: you can help children expand their knowledge and realize their potential, build communities for families to thrive, help refugees assimilate to a new lifestyle, study marine animals and environments, help to conserve and protect wildlife, and so much more.

With Europe facing a major rise in immigration, there are many residents - both recent and long-time - in need of assistance adjusting to a new lifestyle. Refugees need assistance adapting to a new lifestyle, customs, and socio-political climate after fleeing from unstable nations, while many Europeans are in need of assistance adjusting to and learning how to support and live alongside an influx of new residents. Together, and with your aid, these groups can work to build a successful and productive life for themselves and for future generations.

Like in any nation, local wildlife and marine life play a key role in the life of Europeans, so it is important keep up to date on the data and migration patterns of these magnificent creatures. You will learn all you can during your time in Europe about the various local cultures and animal life that the locals live with every year.

When you are not assisting local communities, getting paid to teach English, or helping conserve Europe’s beautiful environments, there will be ample time for you to explore and learn about the different cultures of Europe’s many nations. With so many different inexpensive and adventurous travel opportunities, you can travel not only throughout the country in which you’re volunteering, but also the surrounding ones.

So are you ready to take the leap? If you think Europe is the right choice for you to volunteer and explore, then check out some of these amazing opportunities!

GREAT VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROGRAMS IN EUROPE

Global Vision International (GVI) is an excellent volunteer organization you should check out if you’d like to volunteer in Europe. Founded in 1997, GVI is committed to conservation and community development, and each year sends more than 2,000 volunteers abroad. With a huge number of volunteer programs, internships, group trips, and under-18 travel experiences to choose from all over the world, GVI offers adventurous, meaningful trips for travelers of all ages and backgrounds.

Participating in an environmental education programs for locals and tourists

This is a great program for volunteers who are physically fit and want to be active - you should be prepared for long days in a hot climate, and can expect to walk at least 5km during surveys. Outside of your volunteer hours, you’ll have plenty of time on weekends to explore the area or relax on the beach.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering in Europe or worldwide with Global Vision International, please visit: www.gviusa.com

What Volunteers Say: Review from Emma

I have volunteered twice with GVI and in both cases the experiences are still very much with me. I had a fantastic time, got to meet some amazing people and see some really beautiful parts of the world. I felt entirely safe and looked after, right up from the moment that I booked to the point where GVI put me (sadly) on the plane to come back to the UK. I would recommend GVI as a voluntary organisation to anyone and everyone - just make sure you don't book for too short a while because once you get out there you won't want to come back.

Since 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) has provided internationally accredited online and in-person TEFL courses in 25 world-wide locations, which open you up to English teaching jobs all over the world. This year, ITA will certify over 5,000 people to be paid English teachers around the world. To make sure you’re matched with the best program for your background and interests, ITA provides extensive pre-enrollment guidance from expert advisors, after which you’ll receive TEFL training from a university-level professor. ITA also has lots of resources available for students and alumni (their alumni teach in over 80 countries around the world), including a job search manual, cover letter and resume workshops, contact information for more than 20,000 schools and employers worldwide, and lifetime job search assistance. Check out this free brochure to learn all about teaching English abroad and to compare salaries and hiring requirements around the world.

One of ITA’s wonderful TEFL certification programs invites you to Barcelona, where you can earn your English teaching certificate while exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Through this program, you’ll take on four weeks of intensive, full-time training each weekday, plus live classroom teaching practice with local ESL students. Topics covered during your course sessions include principles of teaching, classroom management, lesson planning, and much more. During your trip, you will have the opportunity to take Spanish language courses, embark on wine tasting tours, or go on Barcelona city tours. Learn more here!

If you have always dreamed of visiting France, ITA has an amazing trip to Toulouse, where you can earn your TEFL certification and train to teach English in France and around the world. As with ITA’s Barcelona trip, this program includes four weeks of full-time training, plus the opportunity to practice teaching with local ESL learners. Course topics include:

During your stay in France, you will have weekends free to explore or relax. You also can take an optional course add-on, which will open you up to more paid teaching opportunities in France: through this program, you will stay for two months with a local host family for 400 Euros per month plus five hours of English language tutoring per week. Learn more and register here!

If you’re on a tight budget, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is one of the best volunteer programs you can sign up for. Since 2007, IVHQ has placed more than 63,000 volunteers all over the world on impactful, affordable programs including child care, medical care, teaching, conservation, and so much more. In Europe, IVHQ offers many different volunteer opportunities starting from just $180 in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Romania.

One of the many European volunteering opportunities through IVHQ is their conservation program in Italy, where you’ll have the opportunity to help preserve historical spaces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout Naples. The types of tasks you’ll take on will vary, but always have a focus on environmental preservation and awareness, as well as the preservation of archaeological ruins or protected marine life. A few of your projects can include:

Picking up litter

Cleaning monuments

Protecting restricted areas of national parks

Planning events

Assisting administration

Farming

During your stay in Italy, you’ll live with fellow volunteers in dormitory-style apartments, and will have three meals provided each day - and in your free time over evenings and weekends, you’re invited to explore the beautiful city of Naples, as well as its surrounding towns. To sign up, you must be able to stay four weeks or longer, in good health, and if you’d like to be considered for the marine preservation portion of this volunteer opportunity, you must be a good swimmer.

If you have always dreamed of visiting Spain, now is your chance: IVHQ offers a multitude of Spanish volunteer opportunities, including an after-school support program. As a volunteer, you’ll play games and plan activities for disadvantaged children aged 7 to 17 - you also will be able to help with educational support through homework assistance, teaching English, and helping to run workshops. This is an excellent opportunity for creative volunteers who want to have fun and make a positive impact - you can expect to work in afternoons and evenings, with your mornings free for relaxation or even Spanish language lessons.

You also may be interested in IVHQ’s special needs program in Spain, where you’ll be able to provide care and support to individuals who need extra assistance. A few of your tasks can include:

Vocational skills development

Providing companionship to children

Working with youth and adults with physical and mental disabilities

Playing games and making arts and crafts with people who have special needs

What Volunteers Say: Review from Courtney

My experience volunteering through IVHQ was awesome. When I first started getting an itch to volunteer, I didn't know where to start. I started researching different organizations through the world wide web and came across IVHQ's website. They were the most affordable and very reputable with the different blog stories and reviews from past volunteers…I had to change my program dates a few times--but they were extremely accommodating and helpful with all of the changes…Everything that was said would be available and done, was available and done. There were no hiccups during my trip, and I've already recommended IVHQ to a few friends who are planning a trip as I type. It was an amazing experience being able to go abroad and do something that I have a passion for--which is working with kids. I couldn't have made it without IVHQ. They made a trip that seemed impossible sometimes because of my circumstances, become reality and I'm so thankful for that! I can't wait to embark on my next trip to impact the world even more.

Founded in 2006, Volunteering Solutions (VolSol) is perfect for those who want to make a difference abroad, but who are on a tight budget. With volunteer programs and internships overseas starting from just $200 for your first week, VolSol works hard to make sure you’re able to make an impact on communities in need, at a low cost. Each year, VolSol sends hundreds of volunteers and interns all over the world on projects focusing on children’s education and development, community building, women’s empowerment, medical care, and much more. Right now, Volunteering Solutions offers several opportunities in Spain, spanning from two weeks to three months.

If you want to make a difference for children in need, take a look at VolSol’s childcare in social welfare program in Spain, where you’ll tutor children from disadvantaged backgrounds at a local community center. These children often do not receive the care and support they need at home, which impacts their educational development. As a result, many of them struggle with homework - as a volunteer, you’ll help ensure these children can have a brighter future. A few things you can do include helping with homework, teaching English, playing games, organizing cultural activities, and serving as a mentor and role model.

If your travel plans fall between September and July, check out VolSol’s environmental conservation program in Valencia. Through this placement, you’ll help to improve water resources, safeguard against forest fires, assist with reforestation, and help with conservation of natural habitats and the animals that live in them. On top of this, you’ll also add value to the local community through education about the ecosystem and the importance of keeping their environment intact. A few of your tasks can include:

Working at the Albufera Natural Park and other wetlands to improve the quality of the water and ecosystems

For more than 20 years, Projects Abroad has provided volunteer abroad programs and internships overseas for travelers all over the world. As one of the world’s largest volunteer travel organizations, Projects Abroad sends more than 10,000 volunteers on high-quality programs each year in Africa, Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Right now, Projects Abroad is offering impactful placements in Italy and Romania, where you can support refugees, teach English and other subjects, provide medical care, and so much more.

One of the many volunteer programs you can sign up for in Europe with Projects Abroad is their Refugee Program in Italy. For two weeks or longer, you’ll be able to help in the current refugee and migrant crisis by supporting those fleeing treacherous conditions in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as they search for a better life. A few ways you can help include:

Teaching English or Italian

Helping at day care centers so mothers can attend language and integration courses

Assisting in cultural workshops to help families integrate into European culture

Participating in social events for women’s groups

Teaching vocational skills, such as basic IT

Interviewing refugees and migrants to asses their needs and expectations of life in Italy

Projects Abroad also offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities in Romania, such as their drama project in Brasov. As a volunteer, you’ll help lead local acting workshops, coach drama groups, and help students prepare for a stage production. Not only will you teach dancing and acting skills, but you’ll also be able to boost your students’ English speaking skills by integrating songs, games, and creative writing into your workshops, where students will learn about stage direction, show production, script writing, and much more. This is a wonderful opportunity for dancers, actors, and any other travelers who want to contribute to a growing arts community and provide a creative outlet for secondary school students.

What Volunteers Say: Review from Becca

I traveled to Brasov, Romania with Projects Abroad and volunteered in an orphanage with physically and mentally challenged children. It was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it was extremely rewarding! I have now found a passion for working with children with special needs! I made life-long friends with the other volunteers, and had wonderful relationships with my host family and the staff at Projects Abroad…I experienced a great amount of support from the staff, and they even arranged my flights for me, picked me up from the airport, helped me exchange my currency, learn some of the basics of the language, get to know the area, get used to the routine at my service site, and much more! Although I became sick with a bad cold at one point, they helped me to get medicine, and made sure that I was always comfortable and enjoying my stay. They even helped the other volunteers and myself, arrange trips around the country on the weekends. I truly loved getting to spend time with my host family as well. They were very kind and loving, and it was very difficult to leave them when I went home to the States. It was a great experience overall, and I am very thankful for choosing to go to Romania through Projects Abroad!

As one of the fastest-growing volunteer abroad programs in the world, Love Volunteers has placed more than 20,000 travelers on service projects and internships throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. They currently host more than 120 different projects around the world, with programs focusing on environmental conservation, community building, child care, healthcare, and much more. In Europe, Love Volunteers is currently offering meaningful volunteer programs in Bosnia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania.

Right now, Love Volunteers is offering several different volunteer programs in Albania, including one that invites you to support children and young people in need. Through this placement, you’ll work in a local center that provides educational and social support to disadvantaged children who are suffering from racial segregation and neglect. Most of these children are from Roma communities, and they are often discriminated against, resulting in lack of quality education and healthcare. As a volunteer, a few ways you can help include:

Teaching basic English

Helping students build their computer skills

Arranging lessons in art, music, or crafts

Organizing sports activities

Planning games and excursions

Without the aid of volunteers like yourself, this program cannot be successful: through your help in building their confidence and skills, the youth of Albania will have a better chance of a successful future. To apply, you must be willing to stay three weeks or longer, and speak fluent English - it’s also helpful if you learn some Albanian phrases before traveling.

Through this program, you’ll work closely with a local youth group in Causeni, Moldova to organize and facilitate events, seminars, and workshops focusing on cultural diversity, human rights, healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, and more. This youth club is host to more than 200 young people, who you’ll encourage to take an active role in their community and effect positive change for years to come. A few events volunteers have helped plan recently include a children’s fair, volunteer action groups, youth talent festivals, sports events, and fun runs. This is an excellent opportunity for creative, active volunteers who want to meet like-minded people from all over the world while helping build stronger communities.

For more information about Love Volunteers and the amazing programs they offer in Europe and beyond, please visit: www.lovevolunteers.org

What Volunteers Say: Review from Samantha

My time volunteering in Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded any expectations I could have had. I highly recommend Love Volunteers and the volunteer program in Bosnia. My only regret is that I couldn't stay longer!

If you’re interested in building your career through a volunteer program or internship abroad, check out Global Nomadic. Global Nomadic partners with community-based NGOs worldwide to provide degree- and career-related programs that teach you new skills while letting you make a positive impact on your host community. Global Nomadic also is an affordable option if you’re on a budget, keeping costs as minimal as possible for students, gap year travelers, or career break travelers. In Europe, Global Nomadic offers programs in Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Right now, Global Nomadic is offering a marine conservation internship in Alonissos, Greece, where you can gain hands-on experience in cetacean conservation work and research. Through this one-week placement, you’ll assist with the first study of its kind in the area by helping estimate the approximate population of the common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin, as well as areas of importance to each species. As a member of the team, you will learn about:

Cetacean life history, behavior, and identification

Threats faced by marine animals

Photo-identification techniques

Fisheries/marine mammal interactions

The importance and storage of research data

How to use the necessary equipment for this program

Throughout your stay, you’ll work alongside local researchers, helping them to build their data on dolphins as well as any other endangered marine life that you may encounter. To apply, you must be able to speak English, be a good swimmer, be physically fit, adaptable to working on a boat, and willing to share a coed room at the volunteer house.

Based in Ischia, Italy, this one-week marine biology course is perfect for students who want to pursue a career in marine biology, environmental studies, or animal science. Throughout your stay, you’ll contribute to important research by investigating declining dolphin populations in the Italian Mediterranean with a local NGO. You’ll gain hands-on experience monitoring and observing marine animals while searching for marine life, conducting research, and even attending seminars from seasoned scientists while working aboard a sailboat. To sign up, you must be 18 or older, physically fit, and have full travel and medical insurance as well as necessary vaccinations.

Founded in 2004, Global Leadership Adventures offers programs abroad for teens and high school students - these programs combine community service with experiential learning and adventure. With an emphasis on safety, outlined in Global Leadership Adventures’ five-point safety system, this organization sends thousands of travelers to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America each year. And as a leader in youth development, Global Leadership Adventures’ co-founder was recently recognized by President Obama for making a positive impact in Africa. Right now, GLA is offering one program in Europe for students who want to embark on the trip of a lifetime: their 14- to 21-day Spanish Service Adventure.

Through GLA’s Spanish Service Adventure, you’ll spend two to three weeks traveling, volunteering, and learning all about Spanish culture and history. For the community service portion of your trip, you’ll focus on programs that promote intercultural understanding and respect for diversity - an important and timely issue due to the current immigration and refugee situation throughout Europe. You’ll work with a local organization that helps immigrants assimilate into Spanish culture through a summer camp that plans games and activities for children and young people. In addition, you’ll boost your Spanish language skills, take part in a culinary workshop, and learn local dances and so much more. To top it all off, you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to explore Barcelona, take a street life tour, go rafting through class III rapids, and spend time on a Mediterranean beach.

To learn more about service-learning programs in Europe and beyond with Global Leadership Adventures, please visit: www.experiencegla.com

What Volunteers Say: Review from Krista

This was my daughter's longest time away from home, and she had an amazing time. The GLA program offers great experiences in leadership, service and travel. Our daughter was one of the youngest in her group, and she felt comfortable as well very safe throughout. The program coordinators were helpful from beginning to end, available and thoughtful. I recommend GLA.

For more than 25 years, Frontier has provided adventurous travel programs that combine community development, capacity building, ecosystem protection, economic growth, and development of civil society through collaboration between communities, researchers, and volunteers. Since their beginnings with a single marine park in Tanzania - which is still in operation today - Frontier has grown to more than 400 projects in 72 countries worldwide. In Europe, Frontier offers trips to France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.

Through Frontier’s community development and restoration program in Portugal, not only will you get to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture, but you’ll also make a great impact on the communities you’ll work with. As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside local staff and fellow volunteers to paint houses, help with reconstruction and remodeling of homes and social organizations, assist with landscaping, and lend a hand on other construction tasks. You’ll make a positive difference for some of Lisbon’s poorest people - and with a goal of remodeling 130 homes and 60 social organizations within the next 5 years, there’s a lot of work to be done!

Another excellent volunteer opportunity through Frontier is their whale and dolphin conservation program in the Canary Islands of Spain. During this project, you will help spread awareness of environmental issues while helping to conserve areas where whales and dolphins thrive. As a volunteer, your role will cover three different areas, including:

If you’re looking for an adventurous experience volunteering with wildlife in exotic, unspoiled locations, you should definitely check out Fronteering. Fronteering offers unique volunteer abroad trips and internships like no other: from working on a ranch in the Amazon, to rehabilitating bears and eagles in Canada, to conserving lemur habitats in Madagascar, and so much more, there’s no shortage of impactful, fun ways you can make a difference overseas. Right now, Fronteering is offering one volunteer program in Europe: a highland conservation project in Scotland.

With Fronteering, you can have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands while protecting animals such as European wild cats, otters, ospreys, and many more. This is a long-term program, starting at 24 weeks, so this is perfect for volunteers who are interested in gaining a hands-on, deeper perspective of conservation and wildlife. During your stay, you’ll work alongside a small team performing a range of conservation tasks, including:

Felling non-native trees

Researching and monitoring wildlife

Removing invasive plants

Maintaining footpaths

Constructing fences

Installing reserve signs

Building boardwalks

Repairing bird hides

You can expect to work 5 days per week for 8 hours each day, depending on the time of year, and you’ll be joined by 2 to 8 other volunteers. For your first 2 weeks, you will be staying in a local hostel as you learn the ropes of your placement, after which you’ll have assistance in finding your own accommodation for the rest of your stay.

To learn more about volunteering in Europe and other places around the world with Fronteering, please visit: www.fronteering.com

For more than 10 years, Connect-123 has offered tailor-made international internships, volunteer placements, and study abroad opportunities in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, and Shanghai. Through Connect-123’s customized trips, you can focus on a wide variety of topics, from healthcare, to human rights, social work, education, sustainable development, and beyond.

No matter where you travel, you will work side-by-side with a local organization - whether it’s a school, NGO, community group, or hospital - and with flexible start and end dates, you can apply at any time. Connect-123 also offers housing support, orientation, weekly events and socials with fellow travelers, and emergency support, ensuring that you have the best travel experience possible.

Looking for a great way to enhance your resume? Check out Connect-123’s Dublin volunteer and internship programs, where you can get involved with local organizations, businesses, community groups, and more to lend a hand on a variety of projects while learning new skills.

If you’d like to volunteer, you can help with wildlife and conservation campaigns, green community efforts, children’s literacy workshops, domestic violence centers, sports associations, and many others. If an internship is what you’re looking for, Connect-123 offers lots of hands-on opportunities in Dublin, where you can focus on public policy, journalism, human rights, medical and healthcare, tourism and hospitality, and many other fields. Click here to sign up!

Connect-123 also offers wonderful opportunities to volunteer or take on an internship in Barcelona, Spain. Volunteering programs include participating in public health campaigns, helping to implement eco-friendly policies throughout the city, feeding and cleaning animals at a shelter, and much more.

If you’re looking for an internship, there are tons to choose from in Barcelona, including education and teaching, entrepreneurship, human rights, project management, marketing, and many others - plus you’re invited to customize your placement based on your background, skills, and interests. Learn more and register here!

ARE YOU READY TO TRAVEL?

Europe has so many amazing opportunities for volunteers like you. From supporting immigrant children, to exploring the depths of the ocean, to preserving historic landmarks, there are so many ways for volunteers of all ages, skill levels, and interests to get involved and make a difference while exploring amazing countries and immersing yourself in the culture. What better way to spend a European vacation?

For more information on volunteer abroad excursions, check out these articles: